New Natural Resources of Douglas County Webpage

Sharon Ashworth
Horticulture and Natural Resources Agent

Douglas County Kansas is situated in an ecotone, a transition zone between the deciduous forests of the eastern half of the United States and the grasslands of the Great Plains. It is a landscape of reservoirs and rivers, wetlands and streams; prairies, pastures, and ponds; of woodland and farmland.

Residents of Douglas County, and those who wish to become residents, value the rural and agricultural character of the unincorporated areas of the county and the natural amenities that make this area a desirable place to live. K-State Research and Extension has the information and resources you need to enjoy and care for your property.

Our new ‘Natural Resources’ page on the Douglas County Extension website has information on bees and pollinators, forestry, native plants, pond management, and wildlife. The ‘Land Stewardship’ tab under Natural Resources has a collection of information including wildlife habitat improvement cost-share programs, well water testing information, suggested landscaping for septic fields, and information on brush management and windbreaks.

The term “natural resources” is commonly understood to refer to the raw materials of the land that are actively and passively used for the benefit of humans – clean water, plants, minerals, soil, and wildlife. The purpose of the webpage is to provide information about and beyond the utilization of the land in Douglas County. Understanding and caring for the land’s ecological, social, and cultural dimensions across generations is land stewardship.

Caring for the land is an enormous responsibility and can be overwhelming, especially for newer landowners. As a new landowner, you relish living in your new space, but there may be many unexpected facets to living in the country – invasive species in the pasture, nuisance wildlife in your garden, and algae blooms on the pond.

If you are new to Douglas County, or if you’ve just moved out to a rural home, take a look at our webpage, sample some of the information there, and give us a call if you have questions. The webpage is still a work in progress so if there is information you are seeking, please contact Sharon Ashworth at sashworth@ksu.edu.